News

President Uhuru Kenyatta begins his second term as leader of Kenya. But contested elections and months of political violence have cast doubt on his legitimacy and raised tensions in the capital.

Watch video02:39

Now live

02:39 mins.

Protests in Kenya as the president is sworn in: Kathryn Omwandho from Nairobi

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has been sworn in for a second five-year term on Tuesday, bringing an end to a bitterly contested election season marred by street protests and police violence.

Supporters of the 56-year-old Kenyatta arrived in their tens of thousands at a Nairobi sports stadium, where the ceremony took place, wearing the colors of the ruling Jubilee party and waving Kenyan flags.

A military band in blue and gold uniforms serenaded heads of state from several African nations, including neighboring Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda.

"I do swear that I will always truly and diligently serve the people of the Republic of Kenya," Kenyatta said, placing his hand on the same Bible that his father, founding President Jomo Kenyatta, took oath with more than 50 years ago.

The opposition National Super Alliance (Nasa) party described the inauguration as a "despotic coronation."

Supporters of President Uhuru Kenyatta hope he will unite the country after a volatile election period

Tensions remained high as security forces stepped up patrols in the capital Nairobi and sealed off an area where the opposition planned to hold a prayer protest, leading to running battles between police and opposition supporters.

Police patrolled the Jacaranda grounds where opposition leader Raila Odinga had called on supporters to gather for a "memorial rally" to honor the scores killed during recent months of political upheaval. They used tear gas to disperse protestors and prevent the rally.

Less than an hour after Kenyatta was inaugurated, Odinga told an impromptu rally elsewhere that he would be sworn in as president on December 12 instead.

But shortly after he spoke, riot police teargassed the convoy and charged the crowd.

Security forces around the 60,000 capacity stadium where the ceremony took place also used tear gas and batons to prevent excess crowds of Kenyatta supporters from entering.

Police used tear gas and batons to control crowds at the inauguration of President Uhuru Kenyatta

What were the key points of the speech?

Kenyatta called for "unity" after elections stretched the country "almost to the breaking point."

"It has been a trying time but once again Kenyans have shown their resilience," he said.

He criticized Supreme Court nullification of his previous election win: "despite... being told that the processes matter more than your vote, we complied."

He outlined 100% universal healthcare coverage and a boost in manufacturing as key policy goals

"Irregularities and illegalities"

In October Kenyatta won a repeat round of presidential elections, taking home a landslide 98% of the vote. But turnout was only 39%, after his rival Odinga boycotted the election amid fears it would be neither free nor fair.

The first presidential poll, in August, was annulled by Kenya's Supreme Court, who cited "irregularities and illegalities" and ordered a rerun. But Odinga urged his supporters not to take part because electoral commission reforms had not been sufficient.

Kenyan election: President Uhuru Kenyatta inaugurated in Nairobi

Red and Yellow

Delighted supporters wore the colors of the ruling Jubilee Party, cheering as they waited for the ceremony to begin. Four months of political upheaval and election chaos has left the country deeply divided.

Kenyan election: President Uhuru Kenyatta inaugurated in Nairobi

Flags flying

Those inside the 60,000-seat stadium celebrated by waving flags and playing music as Kenyatta was sworn in for a second term as president. The election process has dragged on since August, after the Supreme Court annulled Kenyatta's initial victory due to "irregularities and illegalities."

Kenyan election: President Uhuru Kenyatta inaugurated in Nairobi

Pandemonium

Chaos erupted outside when a crowd of Kenyatta supporters attempted to force its way into the stadium, crossing the police line in droves.

Kenyan election: President Uhuru Kenyatta inaugurated in Nairobi

Heavy-handed

Mounted police drove back huge crowds during a stampede. The interior ministry had promised big screens on which people who did not make it into the stadium could watch the event. But frustrated supporters say these were not provided.

Kenyan election: President Uhuru Kenyatta inaugurated in Nairobi

Tear Gas

Other officers fired tear gas canisters to keep control of the crowd. In a separate part of Nairobi, tear gas was fired at opposition protestors who had organised a "memorial rally" for the dozens killed by police violence in recent months.

Kenyan election: President Uhuru Kenyatta inaugurated in Nairobi

State ceremony

Pomp and circumstance dominated the proceedings, with a military band serenading heads of states from several African nations. Leaders from Kenya's neighbors such as South Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda were in attendance.

Kenyan election: President Uhuru Kenyatta inaugurated in Nairobi

Uniting the country

Kenyatta, 56, vowed to be a leader for a Kenyans — a claim that opposition supporters are unlikely to recognise. "I will devote my time and energy to build bridges, to unite and bring prosperity," he said.

Kenyan election: President Uhuru Kenyatta inaugurated in Nairobi

Family legacy

Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in by the chief registrar using a bible which his father, founding President Jomo Kenyatta, had taken his oath with in 1964. The opposition has accused the ruling National Super Alliance party of corruption, boycotting the October vote that took Kenyatta into power.

Author: Ajit Niranjan

"Growing gulf"

Fifty-six people have died in the four months of unrest since the initial elections, according to an AFP tally. Human rights groups say most of the victims were killed by police.

The tense atmosphere has divided Kenyans and blunted growth in East Africa's largest economy. Odinga supporters accuse the ruling Jubilee party of rampant corruption, directing abuse by security services, and neglecting swathes of the country.

"A return to the political backwardness of our past is more than unacceptable. It is intolerable... This divide cannot be bridged by dialogue and compromise," Odinga's Nasa party said in a statement.